The education secretary has said children “should not be using smartphones at any point during the school day, full stop”, as the government strengthens its mobile phone guidance for schools.
The guidance will make clear that schools should go beyond “not seen, not heard” – where phones may remain in pupils’ bags – and adopt strategies that keep phones out of use and inaccessible throughout the school day.
Lucy Powell said: “That’s why we’re strengthening our guidance to take the next leap towards truly phone-free schools. Schools are already leading the way. We’re backing heads and teachers with a clear message for parents and pupils: school is for learning and friendship, not scrolling.
“Alongside our curriculum reforms, this is about making school unmissable – giving every child more chances to learn, connect and thrive.”
The Department for Education said only 16% of secondary pupils say phone rules are followed all of the time. It noted that some schools already used lockable pouches, collection at the start of the day, secure storage or banned phones onsite altogether.
The department referenced polling published in March, which found 40% of children aged 9-16 were turning down real-world opportunities to spend time online. It also pointed to the Milburn review’s interim report, which warned that disengagement can begin as early as 12 or 13, with pupils saying they stayed up as late as 3am scrolling on their phones.
Caty Reid, headteacher of Clayton Hall Academy, said every pupil in Years 7 to 11 had been given a pouch, with phones “switched off and locked away on arrival, then unlocked at the end of the school day”.
She said that since introducing the approach, staff had seen “students playing and talking together more”, better engagement in lessons, improved attendance and “fewer incidents of hurtful behaviour online”.
Rachel de Souza, the Children’s commissioner for England, said she welcomed “strong action to stop phones distracting pupils and disrupting the school day.”
She added: “This must be part of a bigger conversation about giving children the best possible start to life. We all have a responsibility to make sure young people can explore the online world safely, but they also need and want more opportunities to learn, connect and play without the need for a screen.”
Shadow education secretary Laura Trott responded: “I am delighted that Labour have finally listened to us and agreed to properly ban smartphones in schools. This sudden outbreak of common sense is welcome, but we are lacking joined up thinking from Labour when it comes to technology in schools.”
Liberal Democrat schools spokesperson Caroline Voaden said: “Stronger guidance for schools on mobile phone use is a positive step – there is no place for phones during the school day.
“Liberal Democrats are clear that it should be up to headteachers to decide how they keep phones out of reach of pupils. This can obviously come at a cost, so the government must ensure all schools have the necessary funding, rather than expecting schools to meet the cost when budgets are already stretched to breaking point.
“There must also be safeguards to ensure pupils with SEND needs or caring responsibilities still have access to a phone if they need one.”
